Built on a historically important site at Mount Davis, The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong is supported by a grant received from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, by a leading gift from University Trustee Francis Tin Fan Yuen, AB’75, and his wife, Rose Wai Mun Yuen as well as by gifts from alumni, parents and friends. In addition, the grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust supported the Hong Kong Jockey Club Heritage Preservation Project, which restored the historical features of the site, including The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Heritage Campus, where tours and exhibitions highlighting the history of the site will be available to the public.
The campus and faculty design, by Revery Architecture (formerly known as Bing Thom Architects), combines modern functionality with the preservation of and respect for the site’s history, featuring the adaptive reuse of existing heritage buildings on the site. Block A, one of the heritage buildings, is now used for classrooms and student lounges, having an open design and walls with square latticed patterns. It maintains the detention cell marks from the past on the ceiling and walls. Glass partitioning was added to prevent air from escaping the air-conditioned classroom while allowing both sides to have a view, giving the block new life through the inclusion of a classroom. The Block B building is now used for classrooms and group study rooms, connecting with Block B Annex – home to the interpretation centre – via an interior staircase and is guarded by metal grille and gate and kept visible from the Annex.
As part of the revitalization process, exterior heritage elements on the site such as the disused battery gun emplacement and ancillary structures have been made accessible to visitors, while the heritage trails on the Hong Kong campus were made to connect with the public hiking trail on Mount Davis. With the campus’s open design, the public will have access to heritage trails on a daily basis and is welcome to visit the campus’ open area.
